Read Online Jamie-5 by Kathi S. Barton - Free Book Online Page B

phone. When the door lock clicked, he stood up and watched her come out of the room.
    “I’m drained, Mr. Grant. I don’t think I can deal with anything else today. I’ll be fine. Why don’t you all go home? Pi will be with me.”
    “I can’t. I need to hold you. Dane, talk to me, please? I want to help. I want to understand what happened here today. Why were you so out of it?”
    He didn’t think she was going to answer, but when she did, he was surprised. “If you don’t mind staying after…later, I’ll tell you. Right now, I can’t. Not right now. Okay?”
    “Yes. For now anyway. Dane, will you let me hold you, please?”
    “Let me change first. I’m cold and wet. I think Pi is fixing something to eat. Go up to the kitchen and I’ll be down shortly.” He pulled her to him for a quick kiss and then let her go. He didn’t know which of them was more surprised, her because he let her go, or him because he could. He made his way to the kitchen with his family.
    “It not big kitchen, but it work. You like food, I cook. Sit! I make dinner. I make real Chinese food, you eat,” Pi was saying as he walked in and sat at the table.
    When Margaret asked if she could help, all three boys yelled “no” all at once. “I’m not that bad of a cook. I just choose not to. I know how to peel an onion, you know.”
    “I have herbs you crush. You no get in my way. Missy Dane friend, you go and take care of Missy Dane. She need you. I see you look at her.”
    Jamie blushed bright red and left the kitchen to find Dane when his brothers started in on him. He found her coming down the stairs and met her there. She looked lost.
    “What does your family think of me now? I’m betting they think I’m some sort of fool and an idiot. I don’t blame them. But I can’t help what happens when I…is Pi cooking? She does that when she’s nervous.” He noticed she would not look at him.
    “I don’t think they think anything of you. And yes, Pi is cooking for us. I think you’re right.
    She needs this after what happened. Are you all right, Dane?” She nodded, but still wouldn’t look at him. “Dane?”
    “Mr. Grant, I don’t know how Pi got in touch with you, but I assure you that I will make it so she never bothers you again like this. She shouldn’t have called anyone.
    Especially…especially not you. She won’t do it again.”
    “You called me James when I kissed you, when I nearly made love to you. I’d like for you to call me that again. And for you to look at me, please. I’m glad she called me.” He took a step up the stairs toward her and watched as she took one back. “I don’t want to think what might have happened if she hadn’t.”
    “That was a mistake too. I should never have…we shouldn’t have kissed or the rest. Your family doesn’t believe in me. You don’t even believe in me. I think it’s better if we keep this on a professional level.” Two more steps up to her three back. “Will you stop that?”
    “No. I don’t think so. I want to take you to your bedroom and make love to you. Several times, as a matter of fact. I want to be buried deep inside of you when I come, feeling you come around me and over me. Whether or not my family believes in you or not is a moot point.” He took another step. “Do you want me to, Dane?”
    “You don’t know what happens when I…I can’t help that I can do this. I…Mr. Grant, I’m…”
    “Dane, you call me Mr. Grant again and I’ll paddle your butt. I’m Jamie, or James. I want to hear you say it.”
    They were at the top of the stairs now and he could see three closed doors behind her. One had to lead to the bathroom he’d heard running when he was in the kitchen, the other two, bedrooms. He wanted to find hers soon and stretch her out on it with him over her.
    “You…you need to leave. I have to work tomorrow and I—” He touched her shoulders with just the tips of his fingers. He watched as her eyes darkened and her pulse picked